Arizona's Jan Brewer vetoes 'license to discriminate against gays' bill
Wed. February 26, 2014 9:05 PM by Carlos Santoscoy
Phoenix, AZ -
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer on Wednesday vetoed a controversial bill opponents said would allow businesses and individuals to discriminate against gay people.
The measure, known as SB 1062, states that a business can refuse service based on the owner's religious beliefs. Opponents have called the measure a license to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.
Pressure to veto the bill came from activists, politicians – including a Apple,
"Discrimination is not an American value, plain and simple," GLAAD CEO and President Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. "Governor Brewer today demonstrated that basic respect for LGBT people extends across party lines, and anti-LGBT bias isn't just bad politics, it's bad for business. As other states consider similar laws that aim only to make LGBT people's lives more difficult, legislators would do well to remember that anti-LGBT laws just won't be tolerated."
The group behind the bill, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), criticized the governor's decision.
"Freedom loses when fear overwhelms facts and a good bill is vetoed," Doug Napier, a spokesman for the group said in a statement. "Today's veto enables the foes of faith to more easily suppress the freedom of the people of Arizona."
At least 8 other states are considering similar proposals.
The measure, known as SB 1062, states that a business can refuse service based on the owner's religious beliefs. Opponents have called the measure a license to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.
Pressure to veto the bill came from activists, politicians – including a Apple,
"Discrimination is not an American value, plain and simple," GLAAD CEO and President Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. "Governor Brewer today demonstrated that basic respect for LGBT people extends across party lines, and anti-LGBT bias isn't just bad politics, it's bad for business. As other states consider similar laws that aim only to make LGBT people's lives more difficult, legislators would do well to remember that anti-LGBT laws just won't be tolerated."
The group behind the bill, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), criticized the governor's decision.
"Freedom loses when fear overwhelms facts and a good bill is vetoed," Doug Napier, a spokesman for the group said in a statement. "Today's veto enables the foes of faith to more easily suppress the freedom of the people of Arizona."
At least 8 other states are considering similar proposals.
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine